How to Have Confidence in Time of Trouble
By M. E. Piper
“Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High; and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Ps. 50:14, 15. Here is a precept and a promise beautifully linked together. The promise I had often appropriated, and this time, as I opened the blessed book, my eye rested upon it first; but as I lingered there, I saw the promise was conditional. True, thought I, how much more ready are we to believe the promises than to comply with the conditions. We can easily believe that God will be faithful to his word; but if the evidence is not at once seen, how ready are we then to doubt and distrust his goodness, when we should have turned to ourselves to inquire, Have I fulfilled my part in the contract? Have I complied with the conditions? Have I obeyed all the requirements, so that I can with confidence make my requests known to God, and claim the promises? Offer unto God thanksgiving. Surely how reasonable the requirement. Thanks every day and every hour for his abundant mercies! Thanks for food and raiment, and numerous blessings that many do not enjoy! Not complaints and murmurings because we do not have more, or because afflictions are upon us; but when we come into deep waters, then say with the psalmist, “Hear me, O Lord; for thy loving-kindness is good; turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies; and hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble; hear me speedily.” Ps. 69:16, 17. See how David precedes his request, not with murmurings on the causes of trouble, but having experienced past favor, he makes mention of the goodness of the Lord. Then, too, he says, “I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.” Ps. 66:13, 14. Here is a consideration. He remembers the vows he had made in previous times of trouble. Do we do this? Have not many of us promised the Lord that, if he would relieve us from this trouble, or avert that evil, we would surely serve him with an undivided heart? Does God forget? Will he lightly pass by these broken pledges? No, verily! The solemn vows we have uttered in time of trouble are all recorded, and each one must be canceled, or we cannot come with confidence and expect to receive help from the Most High. If we do not fulfill on our part, neither can God in justice fulfill what he has promised on those conditions. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Ps. 66:18. Then let us remember the vows we have made, and pay all our broken pledges, whether to God alone, or to our fellow-beings; and then call, and the Lord will hear and will deliver; and what then? “Thou shalt glorify me.” Ah, yes! this is a part of the work, to give God the glory. Praise him when you begin, and praise him when you have done. To him belongeth all praise, and glory, and honor. Do not as did the nine lepers that were cleansed, forget to return and give thanks to your kind Benefactor, but on every possible occasion speak of the grace that hath saved you, and by your works show your faith in the promises of God. Oh! that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.